Today’s Yahrtzeits & History – 5 Nissan

-Rav Avraham Yehoshua Heshel of Apt, the Ohev Yisrael (1755-1825). He learned under Rav Elimelech of Lizhensk and Rav Yechiel Michel of Zlotchov. In 1800 he accepted the post of Rabbi of Apta. Although he held many other rabbinic positions, to the chasidim he remained always the Apter Rav. He lived his last years in Medzibosh, the birthplace of the Baal Shem Tov.-Rav Shneur Zalman Ashkenazi of Lublin, Rav of Polotzk, Lublin; author of Toras Chessed (1830-1902).-Rav Reuven Yosef Gershonowitz, the tzadik of Ofakim, rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva of the Negev. (1915-1995)-Rav Tzvi Elimelech Spira (1841-1924). Born to Rav Dovid of Dinov, son of Rav Tzvi Elimelech of Dinov (the Bnei Yissaschar), he became very close to Rav Chaim, the Sanzer Rav, at a very early age. At the age of 16, he married Sarah Horowitz, a great-granddaughter of Rav Naftali Tzvi of Ropshitz. He was appointed Av Beis Din of Bluzhov. In 1874, with the passing of his father, his older brother, Rav Naftali Hertz, became Rebbe of Dinov, but with his passing a few years later, most of the Chasidim followed Rav Tzvi Elimelech.Today in History – 5 Nissan· Yehoshua sent scouts to survey Yericho and the surrounding territory, 1270 BCE.
· Rabbi Ovadia MiBartenura, famous for his peirush on Mishnayos, arrived in Yerushalayim, 1488.
· Rechovot was attacked by Arabs, 1893.
· Jews of Tel Aviv and Yaffo were expelled by the Turks, 1917
· The Polish army executed 35 young Jews who had helped distribute packages sent by the Joint to the Jewish community of Pinsk, 1919.
· The official Nazi boycott of German Jewish merchants started, 1933.
· 2500 Lublin Jews massacred, the remainder deported, 1942.
· Dr. Jonas Salk announced his polio vaccine, 1953.